Education Minor
Program Code: U-EDUC-MIN
Plan Type: Minor
Department: Education Department
Website: educationprogram.duke.edu/undergraduate/minor
Program Summary
The minor in education is designed to provide students who are majoring in arts and sciences disciplines with opportunities to combine coursework in their majors with academic and field-based experiences focused on the complex social, psychological, economic, scientific, technological, historical, political, and cultural issues that impact education, schooling, teaching, and learning throughout the lifespan.
Go to Programs by Department to view all related programs.
Academic Requirements
At least 5 units total to complete the minor. At least 34 units total to earn a degree.
Core Courses (2 units)
EDUC 101
EDUC 240
Electives (3 units)
Any 3 EDUC courses 200-level and above (EDUC Focus courses may also count)
Only one of the five courses may be taken at an institution other than Duke.
University Teacher Preparation Programs
The Duke University Teacher Preparation Programs offer secondary teacher licensure programs at both the undergraduate and master’s levels and an elementary licensure program at the undergraduate level. A common conceptual framework—preparing knowledgeable and skilled instructors who conduct themselves professionally and ethically as they practice reflective teaching—links the Teacher Preparation Programs. As students complete the general education requirements of Trinity College and of a selected major, they may also fulfill the requirements of an approved Duke Teacher Preparation Program and become licensed to teach. Licensure by the Duke-approved program is authorized through the State Board of Education in North Carolina and is reciprocal with most states. A license to teach along with an undergraduate degree is required by most public school systems and recommended by many independent schools. Duke University is accredited by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (DPI) and the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation and has reciprocal approval for initial licensure with most of the fifty states. Title II data is available upon request.
Brief descriptions of two undergraduate programs based on bachelor of arts or bachelor of science degrees (secondary school teaching and elementary teaching) follow. The Master of Arts in Teaching Program is also available.
Secondary School Teaching. The Program in Education offers secondary school teacher licensure programs in English, mathematics, social studies, and science. Prospective teachers are advised to consult with the academic advisors in their majors and the secondary program director concerning their interest in teaching and this licensure program.
Interested undergraduate students may apply to the secondary school teaching program beginning in the sophomore year. Students are accepted by competitive criteria into a program that includes education courses with field experiences in local schools and an intensive senior spring semester teaching practicum. During the practicum, students teach high school classes in their respective disciplines under the supervision of an experienced mentor teacher and a university professor.
Upon successful completion of the senior year spring semester practicum and the four-year Trinity College undergraduate degree, students earn a teaching license and a minor in education.
Elementary School Teaching. Undergraduate students who plan to teach young children (kindergarten through sixth grade) may become eligible for licensure to teach while at Duke in addition to completing any academic major offered by Trinity College. The Elementary School Teaching Program provides students with opportunities to examine critical issues in public education and engage with K-6 schools through supervised field experiences in diverse classroom settings. The senior spring capstone semester includes a student teaching practicum in a local public school in Durham in addition to courses on curriculum design and implementation.
Interested undergraduate students may apply to the Elementary School Teaching Program beginning in the sophomore year. Students are selected by competitive criteria for participation in the program.
Upon successful completion of the senior year spring semester practicum and the four-year Trinity College undergraduate degree, students earn a teaching license and a minor in education.